Julian Sayin thought he’d already proven himself. The former five-star recruit transferred to Ohio State expecting a clear path to the starting job.
Instead, he’s walking into the most competitive quarterback battle in Ryan Day’s tenure. With Will Howard’s departure to the NFL, the Buckeyes face their biggest question mark heading into a season that starts with a statement game against Texas.
What Makes This Ohio State QB Competition Different?
As Ohio State prepares to open its 2025 season with a high-stakes matchup against Texas, head coach Ryan Day has made it clear that the quarterback position remains wide open. Appearing on The Herd with Colin Cowherd, Day laid out the urgency surrounding Sayin’s development ahead of a demanding early schedule.
“When you start off with a game like this, first game of the season, it just has your attention even in July,” Day said. “We got to have a great August.”
Day emphasized the need to simulate game conditions during the offseason, explaining his approach to preparing his quarterbacks for real action.
“We try to put him in as many game situations as possible… put them in as many competitive situations as possible and see how they react to it.”
However, Sayin isn’t the only quarterback fighting for the starting role. Day pointed to another young contender, revealing the depth of the competition.
“Lincoln Kienholz is right there with him too. He’s had a great summer,” Day explained. The plan is to let the competition play out through camp. “The two of these guys are going to compete all summer, and we’ll see how that all shakes out.”
How Will Day Evaluate His Quarterbacks?
Day stressed the importance of executing the basics regardless of who wins the starting job. His evaluation criteria focuses on fundamental quarterback skills rather than flashy plays.
“They need to make routine plays, take care of the football, and then, you know, when it’s fourth and two, find a way to get three yards.”
The challenge facing this new-look Buckeye squad extends beyond the quarterback battle. Ohio State lost several starters from the 2024-25 season, a common scenario for a program that regularly sends many players to the NFL.
RELATED: Ryan Day Admits Biggest Challenge for Ohio State Following Departures of Will Howard and Jim Knowles
“That’s part of the culture,” Day said. “Our team has to grow up, and the faster we grow up, the faster we’re going to be able to reach our maximum capacity.”
Despite roster turnover and the ever-shifting landscape of NIL creating additional complexity, Day remains committed to a developmental approach rather than constantly hitting the transfer portal.
“Now more than ever, we have to recruit the right people and then retain them and then develop them,” he said. “That’s the focus for me. That’s the focus for us.”
With a top-heavy Big Ten schedule looming, Sayin faces significant pressure to emerge as the offense’s leader. Whether he seizes the opportunity will be determined not by media narratives but by the competition playing out each day in Columbus.
